1 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:22,119 Your Majesty... - Your Majesty. 2 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:27,599 French neutrality. Guaranteed. 3 00:01:29,960 --> 00:01:31,679 How did you manage that? 4 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:33,759 I didn't, Your Majesty. 5 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:36,559 Well, the Kaiser thinks you did. 6 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:38,879 Did my cousin just dream it? 7 00:01:39,960 --> 00:01:42,719 It is, Iikely a mistake was made 8 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:47,399 during my teIephone conversation with Prince Lichnowsky yesterday. 9 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:50,279 The German ambassador misheard you? 10 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:52,119 Possibly. 11 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:54,359 Or you misled him? 12 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:57,719 It hardly matters which, Your Majesty. 13 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:02,559 The point is, the Kaiser is now hoIding the wrong end of a very big stick. 14 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:04,799 One you handed to him. 15 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:11,999 Certainly it has landed us aII in a most awkward spot. 16 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:17,359 So you would now Iike me to disabuse the Kaiser? 17 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:23,359 We can arrange for a telegram to be sent to your cousin in the next twenty minutes. 18 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:32,799 Before that happens Iet me just ask the obvious question. 19 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:37,399 We haven't by some enormous stroke of Iuck... 20 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,919 ...stumbled upon a formula that wouId actuaIIy keep the peace in western Europe? 21 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:47,359 Not with the French being in complete ignorance of what is being offered. 22 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:49,119 And they...? 23 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:52,879 And they wiII never agree to neutraIity 24 00:02:52,920 --> 00:02:56,519 while their Russian aIIy is being threatened by Germany. 25 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:00,399 l see. 26 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:06,439 I wiII teII the Kaiser there's been a 'misunderstanding'. 27 00:03:12,920 --> 00:03:18,959 'Misunderstanding'? 28 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:27,119 What, what does that mean? lt's such a British expIanation. 29 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:28,759 You tell me what it means. - l... 30 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:33,159 It's Edward Grey, isn't it? He's a deceitfuI cur. 31 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:36,399 l forget sometimes that the EngIish Ianguage... 32 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:39,279 ...does not distinguish between 'duplicity' and 'diplomacy'. 33 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:43,919 'Misunderstanding' - what, 'we've changed our minds'? 34 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:45,919 l'm not sure that... - Get me MoItke. 35 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:48,639 Sir, pIease... - Get me MoItke. 36 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:01,479 I've been made a fooI of. 37 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,359 And l am disgusted by that. 38 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:11,679 Shake my hand. 39 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:17,719 My 'good' hand. 40 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:23,279 The EngIish are liars. 41 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:26,839 Now you can do as you will. 42 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:49,159 Have you had breakfast, sir? 43 00:04:50,280 --> 00:04:51,879 I don't think so. 44 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:53,399 Might l arrange some for you? 45 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:58,039 How long do you imagine the railway platforms are at Duern? 46 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:04,999 An awful Iot of German troop trains appear to be Ieaving Cologne 47 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,159 and heading towards Duern. 48 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:10,839 lt makes no sense. 49 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:16,679 For four weeks now, ever since the assassination of Franz Ferdinand 50 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:21,479 we, in Europe, had been living with a Balkan crisis. 51 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:26,759 Serbia and its Russian ally raged against Austria and its German one. 52 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:31,119 Now, when isn't the Balkans in crisis, you might think. 53 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:34,039 lt's Bosnia, Foreign Secretary. - I think that might wait. 54 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:39,599 Rain is wet, sun dries you out, and the Balkans is a trouble spot. 55 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:41,999 These are facts of Nature. 56 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:47,839 In Berlin, at first, our Kaiser had been keen to stoke the fires in the BaIkans. 57 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:52,119 He thought this might give our Russian neighbour a nasty burn. 58 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:55,959 A quick, cIean war, over before the Russians even know it's begun. 59 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,279 So it took the special genius of GeneraI Moltke 60 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,559 to turn a Iocal confIict into an internationaI crisis. 61 00:06:03,840 --> 00:06:06,839 MoItke wasn't interested in a smaII war in the BaIkans. 62 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:11,759 Can't be a powerful Russia and a powerful Germany on the same continent. 63 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:13,079 One has to submit. 64 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:15,159 He wanted something much bigger. 65 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:17,079 He wants to decIare war on France. 66 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,439 And that was when things began to change in London. 67 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:22,439 No longer were we bystanders. 68 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:25,359 We had an aIIiance with France. 69 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:28,639 Are you going to wait until France is vioIated before you act? 70 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:31,959 The Cabinet had no appetite for war, though 71 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,879 and told the Foreign Secretary to make sure the Balkan crisis didn't spread to the West. 72 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:40,079 And so Sir Edward used the telephone to broker some kind of agreement 73 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:41,239 with the German ambassador. 74 00:06:41,280 --> 00:06:42,559 Sir Edward? 75 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:46,759 But... telephones, you know? Things get scrambled, don't they? 76 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:48,999 And therefore, last night... 77 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:50,559 To England. 78 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:54,919 ...the Kaiser greatfully accepted a peace plan from London that didn't actually exist. 79 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:58,119 Hence the 'misunderstanding'. 80 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:03,919 l won't deny it, there was a little bit of panic here at the Foreign Office. 81 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:09,159 Not least because the morning papers were reporting that a torrent of capital and gold... 82 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:12,079 ...had flowed out of the country over the last few days. 83 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:13,679 Chin up, Muriel. 84 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:17,919 Come on, everyone. Busy day. 85 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:21,799 And that's why the governor of the Bank of England, Sir Walter Cunliffe... 86 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:24,319 Ah, Crowe. - Sir WaIter. lt is good to see you again. 87 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:27,159 ...along with Lloyd George, the Chancellor, had come to the Foreign Office 88 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:30,679 to persuade Sir Edward that it would be fatal to join the fray. 89 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:36,599 It's important the Foreign Secretary knows that if he gets us invoIved in a continental war 90 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:39,399 it will wreck the British economy. 91 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:43,159 There will be a degree of commercial disruption, of course... 92 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:45,799 The economy will be wrecked. 93 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:46,959 That's your opinion. 94 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:50,639 lt's the opinion of the Bank of England and the whoIe of the city. 95 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:53,319 Well there, David. The whole of the city. 96 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:58,079 Over a miIIion pounds' worth of gold left London on Thursday. 97 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:03,079 Ah, to be fair, WaIter, that's the German financiaI houses repatriating their capital. 98 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,359 But we are vulnerable to that. This is the whoIe point. 99 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,039 We are a trading nation. 100 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:09,119 We are? 101 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:14,519 Our best policy wouId be to let the French and Germans go to war if they need to. 102 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:17,759 We can stay out, and be the honest broker, Iiterally. 103 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:21,319 You... want us to be the honest broker? 104 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:23,479 You're making it sound Iike a crime, Sir Edward. 105 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:26,679 Do you know Eyre Crowe, here? Yes, of course you do. 106 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:30,759 So you know he's an exceptionally knowIedgeabIe feIIow 107 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:34,919 and he teIIs me that in the entire history of mankind 108 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:42,719 there is not a singIe instance where financiers have not panicked at the prospect of a war. 109 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:44,439 Isn't that so, Crowe? 110 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:49,719 Er, the PeIoponnesian War... - Yes, apart from the Peloponnesian War. 111 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:54,319 So, you see, Sir Walter, l have this odd situation. 112 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:59,079 Up in TrafaIgar Square right now, l'm being toId by Kier Hardie and the SociaIists 113 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:02,879 that a European war would mark the end of civilisation. 114 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:09,199 And here, l have a great banker of ThreadneedIe Street telling me the same thing. 115 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,479 I didn't mention civilisation. - Ah. True enough, you didn't. 116 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:16,039 l suppose that's where the SociaIists have the moral edge. 117 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:21,799 But l'm not a hopeless dreamer like they are, so excuse me if I take offence at that. 118 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:26,079 l am giving you some practicaI common sense. 119 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:33,599 So, you'd like me to announce to the world that Great Britain can't afford to fight. 120 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:35,199 That's your common sense? 121 00:09:35,680 --> 00:09:36,839 Now you're twisting... 122 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:41,359 Nothing would more readiIy put an end to our great power status 123 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:43,799 than me saying that. 124 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:53,959 Have you ever seen Kier Hardie? 125 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:57,799 Are you asking me because l'm Scottish? 126 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:04,719 l saw him once when l was a wee boy. 127 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,559 My father took me to see him speak in Kirkcudbright. 128 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:09,159 Is your father a Socialist? 129 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:13,959 l think you'll have to ask him yourself, Muriel. 130 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:22,439 Of course, in Britain, the Socialist movement was very small, still. 131 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:25,799 But that wasn't true here in Germany. 132 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:29,839 Here they counted. 133 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:32,519 The ChanceIIor is running a IittIe late this morning. 134 00:10:32,560 --> 00:10:34,279 l couId organise some refreshment? 135 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:35,439 No thank you. 136 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:37,639 They had power in the Reichstag. 137 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:42,559 lf the socialist deputies decide to vote against the lmperial War budget 138 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:46,079 well, there'll be no war because there'll be no money to fight one. 139 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:48,639 Why don't you just arrest aII these Socialists? 140 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:50,959 The Kaiser wouIdn't mind. 141 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:54,399 The Kaiser has personally never met a socialist 142 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:56,799 which is a miracuIous thing in itseIf 143 00:10:56,840 --> 00:11:00,199 given that there are 6 miIIion of them in this country. 144 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:01,239 Even so. 145 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:02,519 Even so? 146 00:11:02,560 --> 00:11:05,639 Remove their leaders and the rest will do as you want them to do. 147 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:11,319 The days of running Germany Iike a house of correction are over, Moltke. 148 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:15,119 These men outside are not our slaves. They are the cream of their class. 149 00:11:15,160 --> 00:11:17,599 And, as inconceivabIe as you may find it 150 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,359 they will vote for your war credits if you reason with them. 151 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:21,599 I doubt it. 152 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:26,199 They fear and detest the Tsar. As all their kind do. 153 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:28,439 But they are not German patriots. 154 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:31,839 They wiII be, when you teII them about the Cossacks. 155 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,679 Half of them are Jewish, after aII. 156 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:43,079 Tell me, because I reaIIy don't understand. 157 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:44,719 Tell you what? 158 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,159 l know you don't want a war with France. 159 00:11:47,560 --> 00:11:51,439 You couId use these sociaIists to stop one. Why don't you? 160 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:57,279 Because the cure wouId be worse than the disease. 161 00:11:57,560 --> 00:11:59,799 Can you imagine what would happen to Imperial Germany 162 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:01,559 to me, not just you 163 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:08,039 if word got out that the Socialist Democratic Party had a veto on our abiIity to make war? 164 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,079 l hate them - every bit as much as you hate them. 165 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:15,399 More probably, because I know them. 166 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:19,839 They are disloyal, they are seIfish, and they are dangerous. 167 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:22,399 But a war will tame them. 168 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:28,999 Eventually, with some luck, it wiII exterminate socialism in Germany forever. 169 00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:36,479 Thank you so much for coming, gentIemen. 170 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:52,079 Ambassador. 171 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:54,599 How many of your countrymen know... 172 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:57,599 ...that you secretly committed them to defending the French channeI ports... 173 00:12:57,640 --> 00:12:59,639 ...from navaI attack by Germany? 174 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:11,479 What you have there is, of course, rather awkward for me at the present moment. 175 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:12,679 Yes, it is. 176 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:16,079 But it is a no sense a binding contract. 177 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:19,359 Just... an informaI arrangement we once had. 178 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:22,039 'An informaI arrangement we once had'? 179 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:26,319 I cannot go one inch beyond what the Cabinet authorises. 180 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:30,039 lf I do, l am gone, and that document means nothing. 181 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:33,199 If you do not act on our confidential agreement 182 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:36,839 you wiII have the German Navy in the EngIish ChanneI by the end of the week. 183 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:41,399 And you will have to expIain to your peopIe why there is no French Navy there to oppose them. 184 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:49,719 In 20 minutes there is a meeting of the Cabinet. 185 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:52,879 I wiII endeavour to describe... 186 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:56,359 Your obIigation to France. - ...the French predicament. 187 00:14:16,560 --> 00:14:20,359 They've just voted. We have a majority. 188 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,759 In favour of the war credits. 189 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,519 Madness. They couId have saved us. 190 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:48,039 John. 191 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:49,919 Winston. 192 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:51,119 Lord Morley. 193 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,919 What bombs are you young gentlemen going to throw at us today? 194 00:14:57,080 --> 00:15:00,519 When you think of the great Cabinet meetings of the 20th century 195 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,559 those that have been, those which are yet to come 196 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:07,599 can there ever have been one so fraught with meaning as this one? 197 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:14,679 Viscount Morley had first seen office in 1886, under his hero WiIIiam Gladstone. 198 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:18,439 And because he opposed anything which strengthened the State against the lndividual 199 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:19,879 he opposed war. 200 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:23,999 So did John Burns - on pacifist grounds. 201 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,279 Burns, hero of the London Dock Strike of '89 202 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:31,119 was the first working man ever to take a seat at the Cabinet tabIe. 203 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:32,759 Was he conscious of the fact? 204 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:36,999 ...so I toId him, l am not a decorator I am a Iegislator. 205 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:39,359 Was he conscious of anything else? 206 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:44,119 And then there was David Lloyd George. 207 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:46,439 Lloyd George was the prize. 208 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,839 Did you get any sense this morning of which way David is moving? 209 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:50,959 None at all. 210 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:55,719 A man who made his name opposing our last war, against the Boers in South Africa. 211 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:58,799 Let's play this carefully. We don't want to antagonise him. 212 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:03,759 He was a politician who was loved by millions of people. 213 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:08,199 We have - as you know, because l have never concealed this from the Cabinet - 214 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:11,439 certain obligations towards our French aIIy. 215 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:14,959 Now these obligations do not commit us to war 216 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:18,479 simpIy because one of the parties to the agreement has taken up arms. 217 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:24,839 Should France, say, find itseIf in a war with Spain we would not be obliged to follow. 218 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:29,079 Do not treat us Iike fools, Sir Edward. You can say 'Germany'. 219 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:33,439 Yes, yes weII, in this specific incidence, of course we're taIking about Germany. 220 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:37,959 But my general point is that ParIiament need not be fettered... 221 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:41,559 ...by a clause in a treaty she had no hand in making. 222 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,559 And nor will it. - Hear, hear. 223 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:49,079 But I wiII teII this Cabinet now - because now for the first time it has become reIevant - 224 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:52,919 that our 1912 agreement with France... 225 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:53,919 1904! 226 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:59,919 No, Chancellor, the Foreign Secretary is referring to its renewal - in 1912. 227 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:04,399 lt was minuted at the time and mentioned in this room. 228 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:10,079 The 1912 renewal is a document I drew up with Monsieur Cambon 229 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:14,999 which allowed us to divide certain operationaI responsibiIities 230 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:17,359 between the French and Royal Navies. 231 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:21,279 In this agreement the French were assigned the Mediterranean 232 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:23,319 and we agreed to secure the ChanneI. 233 00:17:23,360 --> 00:17:26,319 The advantage of this agreement is obvious. 234 00:17:26,360 --> 00:17:31,039 But the disadvantage, as Monsieur Cambon is now very anxious to point out 235 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:38,919 is that it Ieaves the Atlantic and ChanneI coasts of France compIetely unprotected by battleships 236 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:46,879 or would do so if we failed to join in a war that Germany was waging on France. 237 00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:50,719 You mean the French are reIying on us to protect their ports? 238 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:51,999 ln a sense, yes. 239 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:56,519 There's no escaping it. lt is an unfortunate situation. 240 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:01,199 Our agreement with France has aII the obIigations of a formaI alliance... 241 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:03,439 No it doesn't! - But it does, gentIemen. 242 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:05,239 Think of it from the point of honour. 243 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:06,759 Edward Grey's honour. Not ours. 244 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:09,799 I hope they are the same. 245 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:13,479 The French agreement has all the obligations of a formal aIIiance but none of its advantages 246 00:18:13,520 --> 00:18:18,519 and it's to say it contains no deterrent to any power thinking of attacking France. 247 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:20,359 How couId it? The agreement was secret. 248 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:24,999 lf only the Germans had known about this promise of yours to Ambassador Cambon! 249 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:28,199 They probabIy do. lt's us poor deviIs that've been kept in the dark. 250 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:30,519 Well, in fairness we've done well out of this agreement too. 251 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:32,119 lt certainly doesn't feel that way. 252 00:18:32,160 --> 00:18:35,959 Oh, it has released us from having to patroI the Mediterranean, David. 253 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:39,279 No, the PM is right. l couId have asked for more money for more Dreadnoughts 254 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:41,439 to patrol the Mediterranean ourselves... 255 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:42,759 Hear, hear. - ...and not leave it to the French 256 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:45,039 but I know what John Burns here would have said to that! 257 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,199 I know your game. - You can't play it though. 258 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:53,839 Since Sir Edward has been Foreign Secretary he has assured ParIiament on severaI occasions... 259 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:58,319 ...this government has incurred no firm commitments to France. 260 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:01,399 lndeed he has been proud - as we all have - 261 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:05,399 that Great Britain has avoided those entangIements with foreign powers 262 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:08,599 which could Iead us, almost blind-foIded, into war. 263 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:10,519 But now he appears to be teIIing us 264 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:15,599 that we do not possess the fuII liberty of our own decision-making after all. 265 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:19,999 Now, that is a very serious thing. One could aImost say he has misled us. 266 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:21,759 You have misled yourselves. 267 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:24,199 You all knew where the Anglo-French agreement was heading 268 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:26,839 but none of you opened a conversation around this table. 269 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:30,879 You did not want to know because you did not want the responsibiIity. 270 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:32,959 You Ieft Sir Edward with aII of that. 271 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:34,999 Which might be caIIed good judgement. 272 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,799 But to bemoan it now is a kind of cowardice. 273 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:38,719 How dare you? 274 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:40,599 Some of what Winston says may be true. 275 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:43,879 Even a bIunderbuss does occasionaIIy hit its target. 276 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:49,119 But it does not answer the wider question of why we shouId follow France into a war 277 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:54,039 brought about because her Russian allies decided to mobilise its entire army 278 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:57,159 against such feeble Austrian opposition, of all things. 279 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:58,799 There was no sense of proportion there. 280 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:00,879 The boy bloody scouts could defeat the Austrian army. 281 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:02,479 That's a ridiculous comment. 282 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:03,759 No, weII, John comes from Battersea 283 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:06,199 and they have some pretty ferocious boy scouts down there. 284 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:11,439 But Russia? Gentlemen, please, are we to be Ied into war by the Tsar? 285 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:16,679 Let us not forget we are talking about the Iand of the pogrom of the Siberian exiIe. 286 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:18,199 Rhetoric. - 'Rhetoric'? 287 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:23,919 Ten days ago over one hundred working men were cut down on the streets of St Petersburg 288 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:26,759 for the crime of joining a trade union. 289 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,359 WouIdn't you be better off in Trafalgar Square with the Labour lot 290 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,359 howling this rot from an upturned soap box? 291 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:34,559 You should get back to the Tory party! 292 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:36,519 That is quite enough! 293 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,799 We are here to taIk about the French predicament. 294 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:45,519 And what this government intends to do about it. 295 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:47,439 I wiII say this, Prime Minister 296 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:51,159 l will accept some of the Cabinet's misgivings 297 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:54,399 about the way the French negotiations have been handled. 298 00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:56,599 By me. 299 00:20:56,640 --> 00:20:59,279 They were done in good faith, l assure you. 300 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:03,119 But I wiII resign from the Cabinet this afternoon 301 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:09,319 if it prevents me from signalling Britain's intentions to protect French ports 302 00:21:09,360 --> 00:21:12,559 in the event of a German navaI attack on the Channel. 303 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:17,119 lf that happens this government wiII be at an end. 304 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:18,759 Why? 305 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:22,319 Because l - and I suspect some others - wiII resign with him. 306 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:24,919 And then you'll have the Tories in. 307 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:27,999 Rubbish. They'll too busy gunrunning to Ulster. 308 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:31,279 No, John. l assure you they wiII be abIe to form a government 309 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:36,039 and they wiII have no qualms about taking this country into a European war. 310 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:37,239 With conscription. 311 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:39,039 Those are the stakes, gentIemen. 312 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:42,719 Please think upon them when you answer this question. 313 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:50,439 Does Sir Edward have your authorization to inform Monsieur Cambon 314 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:54,959 that we will honour our navaI agreement with the French? 315 00:21:58,040 --> 00:21:59,799 Those who say 'yes'? 316 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:07,679 Those who say 'no'? 317 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:15,359 And one abstention. 318 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,679 Sir Edward, you may proceed. 319 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:29,279 In that case, Prime Minister, I tender my resignation. 320 00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:35,919 l implore you to reconsider, John. 321 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:38,679 l'm from the peopIe, Edward, and I must speak for them 322 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:42,799 because their voices are never heard in the counsels of government. 323 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:44,639 That is why you shouId stay with us. 324 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:47,039 But the peopIe don't want war. 325 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:49,919 That's why l'm having no part in taking us into one. 326 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:53,959 But most people aren't like you. They're more Iike Winston. 327 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:56,919 l don't think that's true. 328 00:22:58,200 --> 00:22:59,919 But it's a pity if it is. 329 00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:08,239 lt's heId for now, Edward. But if we push them any further the Cabinet wiII divide. 330 00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:09,399 I know. 331 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:12,759 And if that happens, the nation will divide too. 332 00:23:19,960 --> 00:23:23,919 What are you going to do, David? You're the most important man amongst us. 333 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:24,799 No, you are. 334 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:29,359 There are miIIions of our fellow countrymen who will wait to hear what David Lloyd George says 335 00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:31,639 before they make up their own minds. 336 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:33,359 I don't yet know. 337 00:23:33,400 --> 00:23:36,439 You will have to decide. And quickly. 338 00:23:36,920 --> 00:23:40,239 I'm not sure I have the stomach for another peace campaign. 339 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:42,759 No-one wiII ask you to mount those platforms again. 340 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:44,479 You did your bit over South Africa. 341 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:46,479 Let the younger men take up the burden this time. 342 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:47,719 But l teII you this. 343 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:52,519 It will be a gIorious thing for them to know that LIoyd George is on their side. 344 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:57,359 We have been misIed, David. The whole country has. 345 00:23:58,760 --> 00:23:59,919 It certainIy Iooks that way. 346 00:23:59,960 --> 00:24:03,879 Grey has run this nation's foreign policy without a single reference to ParIiament 347 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:07,519 and now he expects us to pull his chestnuts out of the fire. 348 00:24:12,840 --> 00:24:15,239 I wiII likeIy resign from the government. 349 00:24:16,360 --> 00:24:18,119 lf we enter this war. 350 00:24:28,360 --> 00:24:30,159 ls the Fatherland in danger? 351 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:32,119 It is. 352 00:24:32,920 --> 00:24:34,479 Can we fight on two fronts? 353 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:35,959 Easier than on one. 354 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:37,239 Say that again. 355 00:24:37,280 --> 00:24:40,119 It is easier for us to fight on two fronts than on one. 356 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:42,559 This is what I hate in you, MoItke, your sophistry. 357 00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:43,879 Keep it simpIe Moltke, hmm? 358 00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:49,359 If we fight on one front against Russia we must improvise and that is aIways bad. 359 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:52,719 And aII the time we wiII be watching over our shoulder for France. 360 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:58,519 If we fight on two fronts, we enact a pIan we have been working on for nine years. 361 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:00,559 The SchIieffen plan. 362 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,079 Yes. 363 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:04,799 I thought the dust had settled on that? 364 00:25:04,840 --> 00:25:07,079 We just keep bIowing it away. 365 00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:09,839 The SchIieffen plan is aIways being updated your majesty. 366 00:25:09,880 --> 00:25:14,119 Ninety percent of our army wiII be thrown at France, according to a strict timetable 367 00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:19,559 while the rest hoId the Russians off - a relatively easy task in the first six weeks of war. 368 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:21,839 Six weeks? - Yes, six weeks. 369 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:23,799 The time it wiII take to knock out France. 370 00:25:24,240 --> 00:25:27,519 Then everything wiII be turned towards Russia. 371 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:29,439 Trains have already been ordered. 372 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:31,839 Six weeks to defeat France? 373 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:36,799 Our scouting parties wiII first see Paris 40 days into the war. 374 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:40,439 lmagine those fortunate few. 375 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:47,679 I know what you're going to say next. 376 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:51,119 You're pIanning to go through Belgium. lsn't that so? 377 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:53,839 A lovely idea, Your Majesty. - 'Lovely'? 378 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,719 Your majesty, the Great Powers guarantee Belgian independence 379 00:25:58,760 --> 00:26:01,399 not because we love each other but because we fear each other! 380 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:05,079 That's naturaI of course. - NaturaI. It's also efficient. 381 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:09,879 Respecting Belgian neutrality is what keeps us and the French from garrotting each other. 382 00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:12,879 And l am custodian of a treaty with the King of BeIgium. 383 00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:15,719 Which, tragicaIIy, you shall have to break. 384 00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:18,759 Either Belgium steps aside or she is annihiIated. 385 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:22,879 Or, we keep our treaty with BeIgium and expose Germany to annihilation. 386 00:26:23,880 --> 00:26:26,519 Success aIone wiII justify what we do. 387 00:26:28,160 --> 00:26:32,919 How wouId we begin to explain our vioIation of Belgian independence? 388 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:36,559 Something has aIready been arranged on that. 389 00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:46,359 Five days before, our ambassador in Brussels had received a mysterious package from Berlin. 390 00:26:47,880 --> 00:26:51,839 'Do not open this telegram', an accompanying note said 391 00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:57,239 'and only open it if, and when, you receive a further instruction from Berlin.' 392 00:26:57,920 --> 00:26:59,919 Can you get me a whiskey pIease? 393 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,879 They have aII been considerabIy Iengthened in the last five years. 394 00:27:32,920 --> 00:27:38,879 l'm sorry. Are you finishing a conversation with someone eIse or starting one with me? 395 00:27:38,920 --> 00:27:42,919 Those north-western German raiIway pIatforms that you mentioned this morning. 396 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:45,199 I mentioned those to you? 397 00:27:45,240 --> 00:27:46,599 You were thinking out Ioud. l was there. 398 00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:49,759 So, l asked a friend at the Board of Trade to check his fiIes. 399 00:27:51,640 --> 00:27:54,759 The station platforms at Dueren is now haIf a mile Iong! 400 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:58,759 That's an awful Iot of German hoIiday-makers 401 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:01,439 suddenIy very keen to see the delights of BeIgium. 402 00:28:02,440 --> 00:28:03,639 Well done. 403 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:05,639 BeIgium. 404 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:08,319 Prepare for the deluge. 405 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:14,879 We have guaranteed BeIgium's neutraIity. 406 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:16,679 Well done. 407 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:20,559 In perpetuity with Britain and France. 408 00:28:20,920 --> 00:28:23,639 Haven't you seen how things are working here? 409 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:26,679 That treaty is just a scrap of paper. 410 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:36,119 The last ever battle in history to be fought in Belgium would be Waterloo. 411 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:43,639 That was the epic idea contained in the treaty signed by the Great Powers in 1839. 412 00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:54,199 But, evidently, it was not an idea that meant much to GeneraI Moltke. 413 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:55,919 Now is the time! 414 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:07,919 Sir Edward... - l know. 415 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:08,919 Ah! 416 00:29:08,960 --> 00:29:11,279 Yes, the German ambassador arrived some time ago. 417 00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:13,679 And the French ambassador is aIso here. 418 00:29:13,720 --> 00:29:14,639 Any more? 419 00:29:14,680 --> 00:29:16,999 And I must have a moment with you also. 420 00:29:17,040 --> 00:29:18,159 Later. 421 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:22,039 Sir Edward, forgive me for barging in like this but... 422 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:23,519 Yes, indeed. Unexpected. 423 00:29:25,320 --> 00:29:28,439 l do apoIogise Prince Lichnowsky 424 00:29:28,480 --> 00:29:34,039 but l feeI l should fulfiI my appointment with the French ambassador. 425 00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:46,999 Bien joué, mon brave. 426 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:51,839 You have done the right thing. 427 00:29:52,680 --> 00:29:55,799 And what of a British expeditionary force? 428 00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:58,999 Just two divisions on their way to France 429 00:29:59,040 --> 00:30:01,719 would have a tremendous moraI effect on our peopIe. 430 00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:02,479 PauI! 431 00:30:02,520 --> 00:30:04,359 And a deterrent effect on Germany too. 432 00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:06,159 Yeah, I know that's not a serious suggestion. 433 00:30:06,200 --> 00:30:06,999 But it is. 434 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:12,039 Germany will decIare war on France in the next 24 hours. 435 00:30:12,560 --> 00:30:14,039 AII France knows it. 436 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:18,399 The one thing that might stop them is you. 437 00:30:18,440 --> 00:30:21,039 You credit Britain with too much power PauI 438 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:23,039 and it has made you irresponsible. 439 00:30:23,080 --> 00:30:25,839 lt is you who can stop it. 440 00:30:26,800 --> 00:30:28,119 You alone. 441 00:30:29,120 --> 00:30:30,719 The power is yours. 442 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:04,799 Whom did l say was next? 443 00:31:04,840 --> 00:31:08,959 Sir, before you see Prince Lichnowsky you must see this. 444 00:31:09,840 --> 00:31:10,839 Please. 445 00:31:22,320 --> 00:31:23,639 Are you sure? 446 00:31:23,680 --> 00:31:28,079 l'm 100 per cent sure about the recent lengthening of the raiIway pIatforms 447 00:31:28,120 --> 00:31:33,759 and l'm 95 per cent sure that German troops are heading towards the Belgian border. 448 00:31:33,800 --> 00:31:36,759 But can we be certain they intend to cross into Belgium? 449 00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:40,919 l mean, might there not be an innocent explanation for all this activity? 450 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:43,799 Certainly there might. 451 00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:47,439 l can't think what it wouId be. But... 452 00:31:47,480 --> 00:31:50,359 WeII, why don't I just ask him? 453 00:31:52,640 --> 00:31:56,799 Of course, after Iast night, we can't afford a second 'misunderstanding'. 454 00:31:56,840 --> 00:31:59,119 I take fuII responsibiIity for that. 455 00:31:59,160 --> 00:32:02,119 Please don't. I rather think we egged each other on. 456 00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:06,959 The damn telephone too. The thing was invented to make fools of us! 457 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:08,839 lt has not created difficulties for you? 458 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:10,999 Um, none. Yourself? 459 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:14,759 l don't know. No, l don't think so. 460 00:32:15,520 --> 00:32:18,039 May I ask you an awkward question? 461 00:32:18,080 --> 00:32:20,879 lf I may reserve the option of pretending l didn't hear it. 462 00:32:23,520 --> 00:32:30,399 What would you say if I toId you I have certain reasons to believe 463 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:35,199 that someone in Germany, someone in a high command 464 00:32:35,240 --> 00:32:38,439 is contempIating an invasion of BeIgium? 465 00:32:38,480 --> 00:32:41,959 I would say that is impossible. We have a treaty with Belgium. As you do. 466 00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:45,439 But... Belgium is a back door to Paris. 467 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:47,959 Belgium is a sovereign country. 468 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:51,599 But it is the back door to Paris. - It is also a back door to BerIin. 469 00:32:53,040 --> 00:32:55,159 BeIgium makes us aII honest. 470 00:32:55,200 --> 00:32:58,239 It makes the French honest. It makes Germany honest. 471 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:02,999 To vioIate Belgian sovereignty would be madness. 472 00:33:11,040 --> 00:33:14,119 We have received reports in the last 24 hours 473 00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:17,719 of French troops along the Givet-Namur road 474 00:33:19,360 --> 00:33:24,559 and therefore, in the Iight of this violation of your territory 475 00:33:26,400 --> 00:33:28,559 and of the 1839 treaty 476 00:33:28,600 --> 00:33:34,079 we are obIiged to request of the Belgian government free access for our own troops 477 00:33:34,600 --> 00:33:36,479 to engage the French. 478 00:33:42,280 --> 00:33:44,279 You have 12 hours to respond. 479 00:33:48,120 --> 00:33:51,479 This wiII be our casus belli. - It might be. 480 00:33:51,520 --> 00:33:57,759 lt's an immaculate one too. No oil reserves, no coaling stations, no goId fieIds. 481 00:33:57,800 --> 00:34:02,519 Just poor IittIe BeIgium - at the mercy of the German juggernaut. 482 00:34:02,560 --> 00:34:05,639 Even the radicaIs wiII be filled with indignation. 483 00:34:05,680 --> 00:34:08,199 If Germany invades. 484 00:34:08,240 --> 00:34:11,399 The IegaI situation is not altogether clear. 485 00:34:11,920 --> 00:34:18,839 We would probably still need an official request for assistance from the Belgian government 486 00:34:19,280 --> 00:34:21,399 to avoid breaching the same treaty. 487 00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:24,399 We cannot be more Belgian than the BeIgians. 488 00:34:24,440 --> 00:34:27,719 SureIy they will ask for our heIp! - l have no idea. 489 00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:33,159 PossibIe that the Belgian army will simply fire a token shot 490 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:38,559 and then Iine the roads whiIe the German army passes through. 491 00:34:44,360 --> 00:34:50,719 'lf we are to be crushed' said the Belgian King, 'let us be crushed gloriously.' 492 00:34:51,120 --> 00:34:55,319 That night his Government had resolved 'to repel every attack on its right'. 493 00:34:55,960 --> 00:35:00,159 And King Albert himself composed a personal appeal to the Kaiser 494 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:03,359 translated by his German wife. 495 00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:14,959 But there was no cry for help directed to London. 496 00:35:18,440 --> 00:35:19,639 Not yet. 497 00:35:23,040 --> 00:35:28,279 And, l'll be honest with you, not one man here wanted it to come. 498 00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:47,559 What wouId they say if they truly knew what was happening to their world? 499 00:35:48,360 --> 00:35:53,999 TeII me, Winston, what does it take to lead a democracy into war? 500 00:35:54,600 --> 00:35:58,079 I do not know. It has never been done before. 501 00:35:59,120 --> 00:36:02,159 We wouId be the first. In Europe at any rate. 502 00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:06,319 lt means seeking the approval of those who are going to die in it, I suppose. 503 00:36:06,600 --> 00:36:09,079 Our forebears never had that probIem. 504 00:36:09,640 --> 00:36:14,639 And we record their names now. Those who fall I mean. 505 00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:17,919 lt makes it so personaI. 506 00:36:18,560 --> 00:36:20,079 Have you told your parents? 507 00:36:20,640 --> 00:36:22,239 I haven't had the time. 508 00:36:23,920 --> 00:36:25,319 You ought to. 509 00:36:27,080 --> 00:36:29,159 l'm their only son, MurieI. 510 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:35,399 They'd be horrified if they knew that I was thinking of voIunteering. 511 00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:37,479 But they'II have to know eventually. 512 00:36:37,520 --> 00:36:39,119 No, not necessarily. 513 00:36:39,160 --> 00:36:41,559 It may still bIow over. 514 00:36:43,400 --> 00:36:45,239 It may not come to war. 515 00:36:52,280 --> 00:36:56,799 So, Germany has requested free movement of her troops across BeIgium 516 00:36:56,840 --> 00:36:59,439 and so far Belgium has refused to give it 517 00:36:59,480 --> 00:37:04,079 and has not asked for our assistance and may never do so. 518 00:37:04,120 --> 00:37:07,679 So we are where we were. 519 00:37:07,720 --> 00:37:12,479 Except one power has signalled its intention to break a venerabIe treaty. 520 00:37:13,560 --> 00:37:16,639 What was that shrug for? Do these things not matter? 521 00:37:16,680 --> 00:37:19,199 Words on paper, composed long ago. 522 00:37:19,240 --> 00:37:20,999 Words have to mean something. 523 00:37:21,440 --> 00:37:23,919 Otherwise all that remains is the cannon. 524 00:37:23,960 --> 00:37:25,959 And let us think of France. 525 00:37:26,440 --> 00:37:29,719 l know you don't want to but consider her position. 526 00:37:29,760 --> 00:37:31,559 Cowardice won't save her now. 527 00:37:31,600 --> 00:37:36,679 She is about to be overwheImed by the might of the German army whether she fights or not. 528 00:37:36,720 --> 00:37:39,439 Words do have to mean something. Of course they do. 529 00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:44,839 But let us not pretend that our own ill-chosen words 530 00:37:44,880 --> 00:37:49,559 would not have awesome consequences for miIIions of our countrymen. 531 00:37:49,600 --> 00:37:57,479 We can fiII this room with nobIe thoughts about treaties honoured and solemn promises kept. 532 00:37:57,520 --> 00:38:01,559 We can fIatter ourselves that we are the custodians of the internationaI law 533 00:38:01,600 --> 00:38:04,039 and that Germany is a nation of brigands. 534 00:38:04,080 --> 00:38:07,399 But think, think, gentIemen 535 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:12,759 think of the consequences that would flow from such high-mindedness. 536 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:16,439 We have not fought a European war for several generations 537 00:38:16,480 --> 00:38:20,399 and, necessariIy, we have forgotten what it is Iike to do so 538 00:38:20,440 --> 00:38:24,399 and this makes us brave and frivolous. 539 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:31,879 How does an army of several miIIion men defeat another army of several miIIion men 540 00:38:31,920 --> 00:38:35,359 with all the metal they have these days at their disposal? 541 00:38:35,400 --> 00:38:39,159 None of us knows - not even the generals, although they pretend to. 542 00:38:39,840 --> 00:38:44,679 If the European nations come to blows tonight or in the next few days 543 00:38:45,160 --> 00:38:48,759 I foresee a calamity Iasting years. 544 00:38:49,200 --> 00:38:51,919 It will be a war without victors 545 00:38:52,360 --> 00:38:54,879 which is the worst war imaginable 546 00:38:55,600 --> 00:39:01,879 because the immense expense of bIood wiII, in the end, be for nothing. 547 00:39:13,440 --> 00:39:14,679 Edward? 548 00:39:16,520 --> 00:39:20,639 That's why I understand the temptation of neutraIity. 549 00:39:22,800 --> 00:39:27,639 We're human beings and therefore the temptation's almost irresistibIe. 550 00:39:27,680 --> 00:39:33,959 But our friend taIks as though there would be no caIamity if we stood aside 551 00:39:34,000 --> 00:39:39,119 and let BeIgian pleas for heIp, shouId they come, faII on deaf ears. 552 00:39:39,160 --> 00:39:42,759 WeII, what about the poIitical caIamity? 553 00:39:43,920 --> 00:39:47,759 And what about the moral caIamity? - What wouId happen to our good name? 554 00:39:48,480 --> 00:39:50,359 Who wouId ever trust us again? 555 00:39:50,400 --> 00:39:58,239 We would have sacrificed every friend and every interest simply to preserve ourselves. 556 00:39:58,280 --> 00:40:04,199 And what would Iie before us when that European war had ended? 557 00:40:04,240 --> 00:40:10,599 A scarred continent, to be sure, with all the human destruction our friend has foretold 558 00:40:11,880 --> 00:40:16,839 not Englishmen, it is true, but our neighbours. 559 00:40:19,200 --> 00:40:22,319 And this too. 560 00:40:22,360 --> 00:40:28,279 We wouId face a continent under the dominion of a soIitary power. 561 00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:32,839 And that a miIitary one, dedicated to blood and iron. 562 00:40:35,840 --> 00:40:40,439 We have an obligation to France - unwritten perhaps - 563 00:40:40,800 --> 00:40:43,999 also to BeIgium - very much written. 564 00:40:45,160 --> 00:40:47,719 Does that not mean something? 565 00:40:51,240 --> 00:40:55,679 Let every man here search his own heart 566 00:40:55,720 --> 00:41:00,399 and decide for himseIf whether he feeIs the puII of those obligations. 567 00:41:01,160 --> 00:41:02,159 I do. 568 00:41:02,880 --> 00:41:05,119 I wiII presently go to the House of Commons 569 00:41:05,680 --> 00:41:11,279 and make the case for supporting our allies if it should come to war. 570 00:41:11,920 --> 00:41:13,999 Then l should resign. 571 00:41:15,560 --> 00:41:18,399 What can I expect if l stay on? 572 00:41:19,160 --> 00:41:21,879 Everlasting quarreIs with Winston, certainly. 573 00:41:21,920 --> 00:41:31,319 But also, with respect, l wouId be putting my name to a poIicy that is fundamentally wrong. 574 00:41:35,240 --> 00:41:40,719 lt's sad. But... this government is foIding. 575 00:41:44,200 --> 00:41:47,279 Now I have four resignations. 576 00:41:47,320 --> 00:41:51,519 Beauchamp and Simon joined John Burns earlier this morning. 577 00:41:52,480 --> 00:41:54,639 David LIoyd George. 578 00:41:55,720 --> 00:41:57,639 What is your policy? 579 00:41:59,920 --> 00:42:05,639 l wouId impress on Germany the importance of BeIgian neutraIity. 580 00:42:05,680 --> 00:42:07,759 And if Germany is not impressed? 581 00:42:08,360 --> 00:42:11,959 And BeIgium faiIs to ask for our help? 582 00:42:12,480 --> 00:42:15,879 WouId you commit to war for the sake of France? 583 00:42:20,920 --> 00:42:21,759 No. 584 00:42:31,800 --> 00:42:34,199 You'II need haIf an hour to yourself, Edward? 585 00:42:35,480 --> 00:42:36,999 Before you address the House. 586 00:42:37,040 --> 00:42:39,119 Ah, yes, I would appreciate that. 587 00:42:39,160 --> 00:42:41,519 Sir Edward! Sir Edward! 588 00:42:42,840 --> 00:42:46,119 l have just been instructed by my government to inform you 589 00:42:46,160 --> 00:42:50,639 that the German fleet will not operate in the EngIish ChanneI if Britain remains neutral. 590 00:42:50,680 --> 00:42:55,159 lsn't that encouraging? ls there not something there for you? 591 00:42:55,520 --> 00:42:56,759 Not really. 592 00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:01,919 What if Germany were to abide by her treaty obligations to Belgium? 593 00:43:01,960 --> 00:43:04,199 WouId Britain then agree to neutraIity? 594 00:43:04,240 --> 00:43:05,439 No. - No? 595 00:43:05,480 --> 00:43:09,679 Max, I have no idea if you are authorised to ask that question 596 00:43:09,720 --> 00:43:11,679 I rather suspect you were not 597 00:43:11,720 --> 00:43:16,319 but even if you were, l wouId still be required to say 'no'. 598 00:43:16,360 --> 00:43:18,199 But that is irrational. 599 00:43:18,240 --> 00:43:22,359 My dear friend, l rather think it is you who is no longer seeing things cIearIy. 600 00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:26,399 l am offering you a formuIa. To save us. 601 00:43:26,440 --> 00:43:32,159 You're asking Britain to reward Germany with a free hand against France 602 00:43:32,200 --> 00:43:36,119 mereIy for fuIfilling its IegaI and moral obligations to Belgium. 603 00:43:36,160 --> 00:43:37,159 l cannot do that. 604 00:43:37,200 --> 00:43:39,679 Anyway, how do I know you wiII abide by your agreement? 605 00:43:40,080 --> 00:43:42,599 I... - No, no, no, not you. Your chiefs. 606 00:43:43,200 --> 00:43:46,079 They couId still march through Belgium tomorrow 607 00:43:46,120 --> 00:43:49,759 and wreck Britain's relations with France forever 608 00:43:49,800 --> 00:43:53,639 by pubIishing a text of some agreement struck between you and me. 609 00:43:53,680 --> 00:43:58,719 Then for God's sake state the conditions under which Britain wiII remain neutral. 610 00:43:58,760 --> 00:44:00,239 l will not do that either. 611 00:44:00,280 --> 00:44:04,239 PIease heIp me. There must be something you can insist on. 612 00:44:04,280 --> 00:44:06,919 That you do not go to war with France. 613 00:44:11,600 --> 00:44:16,959 Germany wiII declare war on France this afternoon. 614 00:44:24,280 --> 00:44:25,639 WiII you go through BeIgium? 615 00:44:26,440 --> 00:44:27,839 l don't know. 616 00:44:29,440 --> 00:44:33,839 Perhaps a corner will be clipped. l don't know. 617 00:44:38,880 --> 00:44:40,599 You'll excuse me. 618 00:44:41,560 --> 00:44:44,559 I have an address to make to the House of Commons. 619 00:44:55,080 --> 00:44:58,919 Soon after Grey's address, Germany declared war on France. 620 00:44:59,400 --> 00:45:01,519 Some pretext was invented 621 00:45:01,560 --> 00:45:04,639 a French aerial attack on Nuremberg, l think. 622 00:45:05,240 --> 00:45:07,079 lt wasn't true 623 00:45:07,440 --> 00:45:09,519 certainly nobody in Nuremberg saw it. 624 00:45:11,160 --> 00:45:15,079 Sir, I've the Iatest despatches from BerIin and Brussels. 625 00:45:15,120 --> 00:45:17,439 Come here for a moment and Iook at this. 626 00:45:20,440 --> 00:45:22,679 I have aIways loved this sight on a summer's evening. 627 00:45:23,400 --> 00:45:26,399 l find it inexpressibIy consoling. 628 00:45:27,440 --> 00:45:29,959 And I want it to last forever. 629 00:45:32,720 --> 00:45:35,919 You'll be told there isn't a better time to be young 630 00:45:36,640 --> 00:45:41,519 and that you are the envy of those too oId to fight. 631 00:45:44,680 --> 00:45:46,319 Perhaps that's true. 632 00:45:48,000 --> 00:45:48,999 Perhaps. 633 00:45:50,320 --> 00:45:54,919 You know, the Iamps are going out all over Europe. 634 00:45:57,200 --> 00:46:00,359 We may not see them lit again in our lifetime. 635 00:46:25,160 --> 00:46:30,639 By mid-morning our 34th brigade had crossed the border into Belgium. 636 00:46:40,040 --> 00:46:43,159 And King Albert of Belgium asked his parliament 637 00:46:43,200 --> 00:46:46,319 'Are we still committed to our independence?' 638 00:46:47,280 --> 00:46:49,999 'Yes, yes', came the reply. 639 00:46:50,400 --> 00:46:55,679 The King of the Belgians then made his appeal to all the guarantors of Belgian neutrality. 640 00:46:56,600 --> 00:46:59,359 These are the transIations. Two copies of each pIease, MurieI. 641 00:46:59,960 --> 00:47:01,439 Is this it, do you think? 642 00:47:01,480 --> 00:47:03,439 We heard it at midday. 643 00:47:12,080 --> 00:47:13,319 David. 644 00:47:13,360 --> 00:47:14,519 Prime Minister. 645 00:47:21,080 --> 00:47:24,279 I do not think we are prepared for war. 646 00:47:24,720 --> 00:47:26,879 The Governor of the Bank of EngIand assures me 647 00:47:26,920 --> 00:47:29,439 that we wiII be very quickIy bankrupt as a nation 648 00:47:29,480 --> 00:47:32,079 if we take up arms against Germany. 649 00:47:33,200 --> 00:47:36,759 And aIthough he exaggerates somewhat he is undoubtedly correct 650 00:47:36,800 --> 00:47:40,479 in saying that as a mercantile nation we shall suffer more than most 651 00:47:40,520 --> 00:47:43,479 because of the agonies to international trade. 652 00:47:44,840 --> 00:47:47,639 l believe also there are some people in this country 653 00:47:47,680 --> 00:47:49,959 possibly even around this table 654 00:47:50,000 --> 00:47:53,519 who will have been delighted by the Kaiser's decision 655 00:47:53,560 --> 00:47:57,159 to violate BeIgian sovereignty this morning 656 00:47:57,200 --> 00:48:01,479 for the simpIe reason that it coats their own seIfish enthusiasm for war 657 00:48:01,520 --> 00:48:03,399 with a moraI gloss. 658 00:48:04,920 --> 00:48:05,999 However 659 00:48:08,520 --> 00:48:11,639 l differ from my now departed coIIeagues. 660 00:48:12,960 --> 00:48:17,519 l am genuineIy frightened by the prospect of a rampant Germany 661 00:48:17,560 --> 00:48:21,479 sitting in BrusseIs and Paris and on the Channel coast. 662 00:48:23,200 --> 00:48:24,879 Do l care for BeIgium? 663 00:48:25,920 --> 00:48:28,599 l fear for her, certainly. 664 00:48:29,640 --> 00:48:33,159 She is a smaII nation, like my own 665 00:48:33,760 --> 00:48:39,999 and she has rights which cannot be eradicated just because the eradicator is strong. 666 00:48:40,880 --> 00:48:46,839 Do l care for the principle that internationaI law ought to mean something? 667 00:48:47,800 --> 00:48:49,119 Yes l do. 668 00:48:49,720 --> 00:48:52,439 There ought to be more of it, not Iess. 669 00:48:54,120 --> 00:48:59,359 The German invasion of Belgium has changed everything for me. 670 00:49:01,480 --> 00:49:03,239 The only sensible thing now 671 00:49:03,760 --> 00:49:09,599 is for this government to send an uItimatum to the aggressors in Berlin. 672 00:49:16,840 --> 00:49:20,239 ls there anyone who disagrees with that last sentence? 673 00:49:22,880 --> 00:49:27,359 Well, there will be no opposition from the Conservatives or the lrish NationaIists 674 00:49:27,400 --> 00:49:31,959 l very much hope there will no opposition from our own people. 675 00:49:32,160 --> 00:49:33,999 Just one thing, Prime Minister. - Yes? 676 00:49:34,040 --> 00:49:36,599 Do you not think we ought to consult the Dominion governments 677 00:49:36,640 --> 00:49:37,959 before we issue an ultimatum? 678 00:49:38,000 --> 00:49:42,039 The AustraIians and Canadians will have their own thoughts on this, I'm quite certain. 679 00:49:42,080 --> 00:49:48,919 There is no constitutionaI need. They wiII see it as we see it. 680 00:49:56,280 --> 00:49:57,199 You did the right thing. 681 00:49:59,640 --> 00:50:03,839 None of us will survive this war. PoliticaIIy, l mean. 682 00:50:08,920 --> 00:50:13,679 Within the hour the British government had drafted its uItimatum to the Kaiser 683 00:50:13,720 --> 00:50:19,399 demanding the complete withdrawal of all German troops from Belgium by midnight. 684 00:50:25,360 --> 00:50:27,519 That was midnight, Berlin time. 685 00:50:30,680 --> 00:50:33,599 But the mind of our government was made up. 686 00:50:34,640 --> 00:50:39,959 What we are doing to Belgium we have been forced to do. 687 00:50:40,440 --> 00:50:42,759 Necessity knows no Iaw. 688 00:50:43,720 --> 00:50:47,559 Good. Necessity knows no law. That is right. 689 00:50:49,080 --> 00:50:51,759 If we think like magistrates we are dead. 690 00:50:51,800 --> 00:50:53,959 The British think like magistrates. 691 00:50:54,280 --> 00:50:58,439 LegaI is it? Not justice. They care nothing for BeIgium or the treaty. 692 00:50:58,480 --> 00:51:00,199 They only care for power. 693 00:51:00,920 --> 00:51:05,079 And how they hate it when we show our appetite to be equal with theirs. 694 00:51:06,920 --> 00:51:08,839 What do you say, Bethmann? 695 00:51:14,480 --> 00:51:16,879 Our army must hack its way through Belgium. 696 00:51:17,800 --> 00:51:19,759 l believe it was Rousseau who said 697 00:51:19,800 --> 00:51:25,239 'lt is a sort of folly to remain wise in the midst of those who are mad.' 698 00:51:26,720 --> 00:51:31,759 And in those 37 days Germany was short of that kind of folly. 699 00:51:34,520 --> 00:51:35,879 Can you take it next door? 700 00:51:44,760 --> 00:51:48,279 I hear you've decided to join the Royal FieId Artillery. 701 00:51:48,760 --> 00:51:49,919 I have, sir. 702 00:51:57,840 --> 00:52:00,039 l think I wiII be Iosing a Iot of my young men. 703 00:52:12,040 --> 00:52:13,199 Thank you. 704 00:52:13,840 --> 00:52:17,239 Have you received your orders to report to your regiment yet? 705 00:52:19,120 --> 00:52:20,319 Not yet, sir. 706 00:52:20,560 --> 00:52:21,919 But you wiII. 707 00:52:23,880 --> 00:52:26,159 I expect so, sir. Yes. 708 00:52:30,760 --> 00:52:33,799 lt's not a bad life, the soIdiering life. 709 00:52:34,640 --> 00:52:35,919 Yes, sir. 710 00:52:36,720 --> 00:52:39,239 But I don't think you'll fall in love with it. 711 00:52:41,920 --> 00:52:46,439 I have never seen myseIf as a soIdier, Iike some boys do. 712 00:52:49,520 --> 00:52:51,999 I aIways hoped that under my stewardship 713 00:52:52,040 --> 00:52:56,279 we wouId see Germany turn into a state with an army 714 00:52:56,320 --> 00:52:58,319 rather than the other way around. 715 00:53:15,360 --> 00:53:17,439 The Prime Minister is in there. 716 00:53:17,840 --> 00:53:19,399 And Winston... 717 00:53:19,440 --> 00:53:20,679 Of course. 718 00:53:21,800 --> 00:53:24,119 You carry this burden aIone. 719 00:53:24,800 --> 00:53:25,599 Yes. 720 00:53:26,480 --> 00:53:31,039 You once criticised me for that. Too many secrets, you said. 721 00:53:31,440 --> 00:53:34,119 It's how the game is pIayed. I understand that. 722 00:53:35,600 --> 00:53:38,479 But it is too punishing for one man. 723 00:53:38,920 --> 00:53:43,999 AII your successes we know virtually nothing about. They must remain private. 724 00:53:44,040 --> 00:53:45,879 Otherwise they are not successes at aII. 725 00:53:45,920 --> 00:53:51,479 But your faiIures may become common property. They beIong to the worId. 726 00:53:51,520 --> 00:53:57,319 There is surely no hiding pIace from aII the scorn and viIification that follow? 727 00:54:00,880 --> 00:54:03,799 I suppose that there comes a time, in a war dipIomacy 728 00:54:03,840 --> 00:54:06,839 when nothing is left standing except principal? 729 00:54:28,800 --> 00:54:30,959 Perhaps I shouId have travelled more. 730 00:54:31,000 --> 00:54:31,999 Officially, you mean? 731 00:54:32,040 --> 00:54:34,839 OfficiaIIy, personally, both. 732 00:54:35,240 --> 00:54:36,999 I have never once set foot in Germany. 733 00:54:37,040 --> 00:54:38,879 I don't think that matters. 734 00:54:38,920 --> 00:54:40,879 l couId have taken my own measure of the place. 735 00:54:40,920 --> 00:54:43,079 That's what the Foreign Office is for. 736 00:54:43,120 --> 00:54:47,039 The world dissected by experts in every fieId 737 00:54:47,080 --> 00:54:51,199 its vital organs dispIayed and expIained. 738 00:54:51,840 --> 00:54:54,679 And now all those organs are failing. 739 00:55:00,160 --> 00:55:03,119 What will it be like, do you think? 740 00:55:05,520 --> 00:55:07,559 l haven't given it much thought. 741 00:55:07,600 --> 00:55:09,519 Not the military side of things. 742 00:55:09,560 --> 00:55:11,279 WeII, you've lacked the time. 743 00:55:11,800 --> 00:55:13,959 l've lacked the experience too. 744 00:55:14,520 --> 00:55:16,599 We aII lack that. 745 00:55:16,640 --> 00:55:18,399 Except Winston. 746 00:55:19,520 --> 00:55:25,399 Did he ever toId you about his charge with the 21st lancers at the BattIe of Omdurman? 747 00:55:25,440 --> 00:55:27,159 I think he did teII me about it once! 748 00:55:31,320 --> 00:55:32,119 What? 749 00:55:35,160 --> 00:55:39,919 I think perhaps this war will be a IittIe different. 750 00:56:11,400 --> 00:56:13,999 Ours became the war of the spade. 751 00:56:15,160 --> 00:56:19,879 The first trenches were dug in the Marne valley at the end of August 1914. 752 00:56:23,880 --> 00:56:25,959 There was no '40-day war'. 753 00:56:26,400 --> 00:56:32,839 No triumphant gallop to Paris, just a murderous and terrifying stalemate. 754 00:56:33,600 --> 00:56:36,519 And, of course, the war spread. 755 00:56:36,760 --> 00:56:42,359 lt spread to the Middle East, to Asia, to Africa - and beyond. 756 00:56:43,280 --> 00:56:45,359 It became the first world war. 757 00:56:45,840 --> 00:56:53,079 By 1918, four Empires were in ruins and four royal dynasties ended. 758 00:56:54,080 --> 00:56:57,039 The face of our continent was changed by revolution. 759 00:56:58,200 --> 00:57:01,559 And death, it seemed, could never claim too many. 760 00:57:02,920 --> 00:57:05,039 lt was always hungry for more. 761 00:57:06,680 --> 00:57:08,959 Ten million died. 762 00:57:11,640 --> 00:57:13,759 lt's too many for the mind to conceive. 763 00:57:15,120 --> 00:57:20,599 Every single one of them mourned by people who loved them and missed them 764 00:57:22,600 --> 00:57:24,839 with grief consuming half the world. 765 00:57:27,160 --> 00:57:28,919 But here's a funny thing. 766 00:57:30,600 --> 00:57:36,639 Austria and Russia, whose quarrel in the Balkans had taken everybody else to the edge? 767 00:57:37,760 --> 00:57:41,399 They were the last to declare war on each other. 768 00:57:41,640 --> 00:57:43,319 And when they did 769 00:57:46,640 --> 00:57:48,399 nobody really noticed.